Job Title: Income Maintenance Caseworker I- (Bilingual Spanish Preferred) Department: Health and Human Services Hiring Range: $17.79 - $20.77 Posted Internally and Externally Bilingual candidates are strongly preferred. Bilingual employees in this role who have passed the language assessment can receive Buncombe County's Bilingual Compensation Allowance. This Allowance is either $50 or $75 added to the employees' biweekly paycheck, depending on the selected candidate's conversational and/or translation proficiency. Purpose of the position: The primary purpose of this position is to ensure all eligible individuals receive timely public assistance benefits by determining eligibility of Buncombe County residents applying for public assistance within a single Income Maintenance program. Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Associate’s degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services, Paralegal Technology, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or a closely related curriculum and one (1) year of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or graduation from high school and two (2) years of paraprofessional, clerical, or other public contact experience which included negotiating, interviewing, explaining information, gathering and compiling of data, analysis of data and/or performance of mathematical or legal tasks; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred Essential Functions of the Position: Determine client eligibility for benefits accurately and within Federal and State mandated time frames. Gather and interpret client data and perform case file reviews. Provide information to clients/applicants regarding programs, services, and eligibility requirements and outcomes. Review client applications, verifying the information obtained and determine eligibility. Document findings and maintain up to date records of all cases. Complete scheduled client re-certification for eligibility. Explain public assistance program requirements and options to client/applicant. Refer client/applicant to other program services as appropriate. Acquire and maintain knowledge of Health and Human Services in order to serve customers within an integrated model. Adhere to all program mandates and stay current with program policy. Identify cases for investigation of potential fraud and submit appropriate fraud referral documentation. Assist in local and state hearings process as necessary. • Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Proficiency working in a variety of computer systems and software. Considerable knowledge of agency and community programs and services which could affect the client/applicant. Ability to maintain a satisfactory working relationship with applicants and others contacted within the course of performing the work. Ability to willingly accept work direction from multiple parties and work as part of a team. Ability to analyze, comprehend and apply rules and regulations and often changing policies and guidelines pertaining to eligibility programs. Ability to conduct interviews and interpret agency policies and procedures to people of varied social, economic, and educational backgrounds to obtain data for documentation and verification of information needed in determining eligibility, detect need for other agency services and make appropriate referrals to the service staff. Ability to work with facts and figures and perform tasks involving a high degree of accuracy, learn the intricacies of numerous forms and procedures of the public assistance programs. Ability to set priorities and organize. In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions. Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective. It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination. Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Select a job and click the blue Apply button to complete your application. Please attach a resume and cover letter if possible. Then, submit your application by the Job Posting End Date to be considered. Our hiring managers begin reviewing applications after the Job Posting End Date and will contact applicants soon after. Thank you for your patience as we give each application the time and attention that it deserves. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. If you have equivalent experience and/or education we encourage you to apply.